Chapter 7 : Semi-final and Challenges

With only one weeks to go before the end of the Survival World mission, James fought the Battle of Megalonia like a madman, fighting his way to 23ed place in the rankings.

In the dressing rooms of Megalonia, James and Tôjo who was about to enter the ring suddenly stopped in front of a young blue-haired woman accompanied by a rather muscular man with a long nose and grey hair.

James and Tôjo were then surprised because they were two well-known personalities, the first was Yukiko Shirato the president of the Shirato group, the second was Yūri the Megalonia champion.

"I'm Yukiko Shirato, I came personally to propose you to join the Shirato team, I was really impressed by your boxing skills Mr. James and in my opinion you will have a better future...."

But before Yukiko finished her sentence, James interrupted her.

"No."

Yukiko then stopped talking and looked at James with surprise, even Tôjo and Yūri looked at him strangely.

Wasn't every boxer's dream to be in the Shirato group team? Because once you join the team you will have access to the best equipment and gear, huge advertising contracts, luxury and glory, you could say that being part of the Shirato team was really the goal of almost all the competitors in Megalonia.

"Did you just say no to me?"

James then put his hand on Tôjo's shoulder and said with a smile.

"I already have the best team, The team of the drunken old man."

Tôjo then looked at James with a strange look, he hadn't won a license like James, he had nothing in this world except his old boxing gym, one could even say that he depended on James' victories.

He knew James was a good kid, but how many people in this world would give up a chance to climb to the top and win fame and money because of an old man he had just met two months ago?

Tôjo was then deeply moved, he wanted to convince James, but James interrupted him.

"Don't forget Tôjo, you promised to train me until I win Megalonia."

Tôjo then fell silent and looked at Yukiko and Yūri.

"Sorry but you've already heard my champion, we're not interested now get the hell out, we've got a match."

Yukiko was immediately offended but she didn't get angry, unlike Yuri who then stepped forward and stopped in front of James.

"I won't allow anyone to make my owner angry, you want to be the champion, don't you? So okay I accept the challenge, if you win this fight you'll go to the semi-final, your ranking will go up and we'll fight six days, what do you say?"

James smiled then, before looking Yuri in the eye.

"I accept."

Then Yukiko and Yūri left and James and Tôjo entered the stadium.

. . . . . . . .

"Today ladies and gentlemen, a fight for the semi-finals, we have Kurt Amsvill, currently ranked 12th, taking on James Art, the Gearless, lightning fist, ranked 41st, who will win!!!"

James and Kurt stood on the Ring looking at each other silently without saying a word.

The referee then stepped forward and raised his arm.

"James?"

"Ok"

"Kurt?"

"Ok"

"Fight!!"

Ring!

James immediately rushed towards his opponent, without giving him time to react, and punched him in the stomach.

Kurt wobbled and backed off, then, with his equipment, attacked James at incredible speed and James dodged his punch and leaned on his right leg.

Putting his centre of gravity at 60° vertically to his initial position and then launched an uppercut containing all the power his had, associated with his speed.

Thwack!

It was a chilling sound.

Kurt began to lose his balance, his eyesight was blurred.

James followed almost instantaneously with an overhand-punch! and then gave one last Upercut!

Thwack! Thwack!

Kurt then fell to the ground violently with his mouth full of blood and his nose completely deformed.

The referee quickly approached and began the countdown.

"1 2 3...5...6..8...9...KO!"

"James Win!!"

"James Art advances to the semifinals with a Ko in 17 seconds, what a remarkable fighter!!"

"I love you, lightning fist!!"

"Lightning fist! Lightning fist! Lightning fist!"

"Victory by a ko in 17 seconds!"

"Lightning fist is the best!"

To the ovations of the spectators James left the stage as his gaze and Yuri's gaze further down the bleachers crossed, then he smiled and entered the locker room with Tôjo.

"Tojo, I'd like to double the training in the next six days."

"Are you kidding me? Your training will triple! We're gonna teach these rich people a lesson so they never underestimate a citizen without a license."

"Hahahaha"

The two started laughing as Yūri further, left the stands with a face full of seriousness.

"James you're strong but I'm the number one and I won't lose! Because I'm Yūri."